• Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda and KiBO Foundation train 1,000 women in Kampala

• Program promotes economic independence and community-level development

• Initiative contributes to Uganda’s broader strategy for inclusive growth

In a country where more than 70% of women work in the informal economy, Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda (CCBU) and KiBO Foundation have completed an entrepreneurial training program for 1,000 women in the Kampala metropolitan area. The initiative, known as “Women Arise,” is part of Coca-Cola’s ESG strategy in Africa and supports national efforts to strengthen women's economic participation.

The program focused on leadership, basic finance, project management, ICT, and business planning. Participants were guided through the development of viable project ideas, with select proposals set to receive implementation support. Winnie Muwanguzi, program head at KiBO Foundation, emphasized that the initiative offers women “a real opportunity to become economically self-reliant while creating value in their communities.”

Women’s economic empowerment is widely recognized as a lever for inclusive development, particularly in Uganda, where micro-enterprises play a vital economic role. Enhancing female entrepreneurship not only broadens the country's productive base but also stimulates local employment and reduces dependence on foreign aid. According to the World Bank, 39% of Ugandan women aged 15 to 24 are classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), compared to 27% of men.

Since 2015, the Ugandan government has supported women through the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program, which facilitates access to capital and entrepreneurial training. NGOs such as BRAC Uganda and ActionAid also play key roles in promoting financial literacy, women’s cooperatives, and rural mentorship programs.

By integrating education, access to finance, and mentoring, such initiatives are helping to shape a resilient ecosystem for female entrepreneurship. Ensuring long-term sustainability and local ownership remains essential to turning these individual efforts into broader socio-economic progress.